FT.com - European equity markets were set for a weaker start on Wednesday after a mixed perfomance overnight on Wall Street as US stocks failed to respond to a raft of positive economic data and lower oil prices.

AFP - European stock markets fell with heavyweight oil groups tracking lower on weakening oil prices, but BA shares bucked the trend after news of job cuts at the British airline.

AP - France's jobless rate fell to 9.7 percent in October, its lowest since May 2003, but French consumer confidence fell to an eight-year low in November, according to new government statistics.

AP - Inflation in the 12 countries using the euro declined for a second month to 2.4 percent in November, the EU statistical agency Eurostat said in its first estimate released Wednesday.

Canadian Press - BERLIN (AP) - Chancellor Angela Merkel stamped her mark on German foreign policy in her first speech to parliament Wednesday, warning Turkey that it is not guaranteed EU membership, pledging closer ties with Washington and reaching out to smaller Eastern European neighbours.

AFP - Leading shares ended the session sharply lower as weakness in heavyweight oil and property stocks offset strong gains in the Daily Mail after the publisher put its local newspaper operations up for sale.

Canadian Press - BRUSSELS (AP) - Inflation in the 12 countries using the euro declined for a second month to 2.4 per cent in November, the EU statistical agency Eurostat said in its first estimate released Wednesday.

AP - Consumer confidence fell to an eight-year low during France's suburban rioting, despite a steady decline in the jobless rate, official data revealed Wednesday.